1 day - #1 Elijer Martinez

Cullowhee, NC - It's now 1 days until the kickoff of Catamount football at Georgia Tech.

On the Catamount Sports Forum we'll highlight wide receivers, and spotlight junior #1 Elijer Martinez.

Click the link below for more information on Elijer.


#1 Elijer Martinez

Goldwater & Chapman hired as SoCon Broadcast Team

Darren Goldwater and Doug Chapman have been hired to serve as the broadcast team for the Southern Conference Sports Network's television package this fall.  

Chapman will serve as the analyst while Goldwater will handle the play-by-play duties.   Read more by clicking the link below. 



SoCon Broadcast Team

2011 SoCon Football Weekly Teleconference

The first of the 2011 SoCon Football Weekly Teleconferences was conducted earlier today.  Below you can hear Coach Wagner's thoughts on the upcoming game against Georgia Tech.


Coach Wagner's Interview

WCU Football: "Position by Position Review" - Wide Receivers

The Catamounts return starters Deja Alexander, Jacoby Mitchell and Josh Cockrell to a position that is probably the deepest on the Catamount roster, wide receiver. Alexander and Mitchell ranked eighth and ninth in the final SoCon individual standing for receptions per game.  George Richardson is also returning to the team coming back from an injury that resulted in a medical redshirt in 2010, Senior Nate Harris  switches to wide receiver this season.

Newcomers freshman Isaiah Johnson and junior Gary Green are expected to factor into playing time in 2011. All told, the Cats are 14 deep at the wide receiver position.

Depth Chart for the GT game

The WCU depth chart vs. Georgia Tech has been posted. Brandon Pechloff gets the start at quarterback.

2011 Western Carolina Football Depth Chart

2 days - #2 George Richardson

Cullowhee, NC - It's now 2 days until the kickoff of Catamount football at Georgia Tech.

On the Catamount Sports Forum we'll highlight wide receivers, and spotlight RS Sophomore #2 George Richardson.

Click the link below for more information on George.


#2 George Richardson

A Tailgating Invitation for You

The Catamount Fans Tailgating Club invites you to join other Catamount fans in the celebration of Catamount football before every home football game. The goal is to create a large tailgating community and to just have fun prior to Western Carolina home football games!!!   Catamount Tailgaters plan on creating fun game day activities such as Cornhole tournaments and cook offs. Your ideas for activities are needed as well.

Through growth and development the club looks forward to bigger and better tailgating seasons starting this year. To accomplish this goal, your help is needed.  So, you are invited to the first home game opener tailgating to meet and greet other Catamount fans.  Catamount Tailgating Fans will set up in the Fine And Performing Arts Center parking lot no later than three o'clock on Saturday, September 10th for the Mars Hill game.   Get more information about Catamount Tailgating at the link below.

Catamount Fans Tailgating Club

WCU Football: "Position by Position Review" - Running Backs

With a heavy emphasis on the running game in the new "pistol" offense, several new faces join veteran Michael Johnson in the backfield this season.  Johnson, the 2009 SoCon Freshman of the Year, is joined by redshirt sophomore Joe Korac (moved from TE), as well as junior transfer Michael Vaughn and true freshmen Petey Boone and Shaun Warren.  

The Cats averaged 107.3 yards rushing per game last season (last in the SoCon) but up nearly 25 yards per game over the previous season.  The Cats plan to make substantial improvements in this area of the game.  

Volleyball: Marriott Cavalier Classic

Carrie Minoque

The Catamounts finished the weekend 0-3 on the road at the Marriott Cavalier Classic, dropping Saturday's matches to Western Michigan and to thetournament host Virginia.

Highlights of the weekend include freshman Jordan Timmermann's 17 kills, 31 digs and 7 total blocks and senior Carrie Minoque's selection to the Marriott Cavalier Classic All-Tournament Team.

3 days - #3 Deja Alexander

Cullowhee, NC - It's now 3 days until the kickoff of Catamount football at Georgia Tech.

On the Catamount Sports Forum we'll highlight wide receivers, and spotlight RS Sophomore #3 Deja Alexander.

Click the link below for more information on Deja.

#3 Deja Alexander

Football & Catamount All-Access

The WCU athletic department has announced that Catamount Athletics plans to make live streaming of select home athletic contests available for viewing through Catamount All-Access.  This is made possible through a partnership agreement with the WCU Communications Dept. and the student-run channel - TV-62.  Watching these live events will require a subscription for a low monthly rate of $6.95 or yearly for $49.95.

For football, the video feed captured for the "PurpleVision" scoreboard at all home football games will be made available and streamed via Catamount All Access, utilizing on-site student commentators. Throughout the fall, broadcasts will continue with select Catamount basketball events.  Catamount All-Access, will also provide a select number of online broadcasts with the assistance of the on-campus channel, TV-62 staff.

Golf: Men's 2011-12 Schedule

Just a day following the announcement of their receipt of new golf vans for both the men's and women's teams, second year head coach Carter Cheves announced the Men's  2011-12 Golf Schedule.   The Cats will participate in a total of 10 tournaments, spread over fall and spring semesters, and will once again the fifth annual Hummingbird Intercollegiate at the Country Club of Sapphire Valley.

2011-12 Men Golf Schedule

Cheves Announces 2011-12 Schedule

4 days - #4 Jacoby Mitchell

Cullowhee, NC - It's now 4 days until the kickoff of Catamount football at Georgia Tech.

On the Catamount Sports Forum we'll highlight wide receivers, and spotlight junior #4 Jacoby Mitchell.

Click the link below for more information on Jacoby.


 #4 Jacoby Mitchell

WCU Football: "Position by Position Review" - Quarterbacks

The Cats have four quarterbacks on the roster this season, #11 Jawan Simmons (6-2 205 Fr), #12 Lance Price (6-2 205 R-Fr), #13 Brandon Pechloff (6-7 220 So), and #15 Zac Brindise (6-1 200 R-Sr).

Brindise and Pechloff both had starts in the 2010 season, with the two combining a total of 9 starts after the loss of redshirt junior Zack Jaynes early in the 2010 season.   Both will battle for the starting position, with Pechloff getting the early nod as the #1 quarterback on the initial two deep roster.  The "pistol" utilizing a "no huddle" offense will challenge both individuals due to the speed of the draw plays, counters, and options using three wide receiver formations and multiple tight ends. One particular area of concern, both had difficulty with interceptions last season, with Brindise tossing 9 in 222 attempts, and Pechloff throwing 7 in 72 passes.

True freshman Jawan Simmons, who has experience with a "pistol" offense in high school, may challenge both Pechloff and Brindise for playing time.  Redshirt freshman Lance Price spent last season with the scout team.

5 days - #5 Michael Johnson

Cullowhee, NC - It's now 5 days until the kickoff of Catamount football at Georgia Tech.

On the Catamount Sports Forum we'll highlight running backs, and spotlight junior  #5 Michael Johnson.

Click the link below for more information on Michael.


#5 Michael Johnson

Golf: Men's & Women's Golf Teams receive new vans

Thanks to a generous donation from a Catamount donor, Western Carolina has taken possession of two new Mercedes custom travel vans, one each for the men's and women's golf teams. 

Click on the link below to watch video interviews with Gorham Bradley and Men's and Women's Golf Coaches Carter Cheves and Mallory Hetzel about the new golf vans.

New Golf vans

Football: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

With only 6 days to go until the Georgia Tech game, I think it's time to give the Yellow Jackets another look.  Here's the preseason preview published earlier.

Game #1. The Ramblin' Wreck of Georgia Tech

This is a preseason preview of the Catamount's first opponent of the 2011 football season, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

The Ramblin' Wreck football team fell to a 6-7 record last season, just the second losing season of WCU alumni Paul Johnson’s 14-year career as a head football coach. The Yellow Jackets may get enough wins in the 2011 season for a bowl bid, but are not expected to offer a significant challenge for the Coastal Division championship race in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Head Football Coach Paul Johnson leads his Yellow Jackets into the first game of the 2011 season against his alma mater, and is 5-0 against the Catamounts in his head coaching career.   Coach Johnson, also doubles as the offensive coordinator, but to beat the Catamounts this season, the Ramblin' Wreck will have to do a much better job of holding on to the football (37 fumbles last season), while the Wreck's quarterbacks threw 7 interception out of 166 passes on the season.

Johnson will put the Catamount defense to a strong test in the first of four games this season against the difficult to defend, triple option offense. While turning out over 400 yards per game last season, Johnson's offense was not as effective as their 2009 season, scoring was down and the team didn't complete the big plays in their passing game needed to complement a triple option rushing attack. Redshirt junior Tevinn Washington probably has the inside shot at the starting quarterback position (started the final four games in 2010), but will have some lively competition from redshirt freshman Synjyn Days. A big key in the offensive scheme will be who can (if anyone) step up and replace Anthony Allen, who rushed for over 1300 yards, as none of the backs replacing Allen have a lot of experience.

Special Teams could be a problem for the Yellow Jackets this season, with the loss of senior kicker Scott Blair. Blair handled all three kicking position responsibilities last season. Justin Moore, the likely punter this season, showed control problems in his limited opportunities on kickoffs, and Chandler Anderson, the likely punter has never a punt in a college game.

Defensive Coordinator Al Groh's defensive line is probably the most experienced unit in the Yellow Jacket's 3-4 defense. However, last season the defense only combined for 4 sacks and 12 tackles for a loss, and all four starters in the secondary must be replaced.

The Yellow Jackets have been projected to finish about 4th in the Coastal Division of the ACC.

Game Prediction: WCU 14 - GT 24

WCU Record: 0 - 1

Soccer: Cats pick up win #2

The Catamounts make it two srtaight wins (2-1-0), by defeating the University of North Florida (1-1-1) at the Catamount Soccer Complex on Thursday night.  

Western Carolina will now have almost a week off before it returns to action on September 2 at Cincinnati.  Match time is set for 7 p.m. 

Cross Country: SoCon Coaches' Poll

The SoCon coaches voted their preseason favorites, and the Catamount teams didn't fair well. The WCU men were selected to come in 7th place (42 votes) while the WCU women were voted to 9th place.

ASU was picked first in men's CC, and UNCG was picked first in women's CC.


Cross Country Favorites

Volleyball: USC - Upstate

University South Carolina Upstate

When:  Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 4:30 pm

Where: Charlottesville, VA

In the Virginia Cavaliers "Marriott Cavalier Classic"

6 days - #6 Dee Williams

Cullowhee, NC - It's now 6 days until the kickoff of Catamount football at Georgia Tech.

On the Catamount Sports Forum we'll highlight defensive backs, and spotlight freshman  #6 Dee Williams.

Click the link below for more information on Dee.

#6 Dee Williams

Soccer: Jacobs & Beauduy named All-Tournament

Jacobs

Beayduy

Redshirt juniors Katie Jacobs and Kayla Beauduy were each named to the Western Kentucky University All-Tournament Team that concluded Sunday in Bowling Green, Ky.

SoCon: Who do you want to replace those guys from Boone?

The Catamount Sports Forum is conducting a poll (started by "BigCat") asking which school Catamount Fans would like to replace "that school that shall remain nameless".

Come on over, join the discussion, and tell us who you think would make the best "new" Southern Conference member.


Poll: Who replaces ASU for football?

Football: SoCon Week #1 Football Predictions

The Catamounts Sports Forum has a SoCon Football Week #1 Prediction thread for all of you Southern Conference football fans. All Catamount fans are invited to try their hand at predictions.

How's your crystal ball working today?  Just click on the link below and let us see.

SoCon Week #1 - Pick'em

7 days - #7 Christon Gill

Cullowhee, NC - It's now 7 days until the kickoff of Catamount football at Georgia Tech.

On the Catamount Sports Forum we'll highlight defensive backs, and spotlight freshman  #7 Christon Gill. 

Click the link below for more information on Christon.


 #7 Christon Gill

Soccer: North Florida

The University of North Florida Ospreys
When: Thursday, August 25, 2011, 7 pm
Where: Catamount Athletic Complex
Event Coverage:  Game Tracker & Catamount All Access


Head Soccer Coach Chad Miller previews the UNF game

WLOS ABC 13 News - First Day for WCU

WLOS ABC 13 News :: Top Stories - First Day for WCU

8 days - #8 Isaiah Johnson

Cullowhee, NC - It's now 8 days until the kickoff of Catamount football at Georgia Tech.

On the Catamount Sports Forum we'll highlight wide receivers, and spotlight freshman  #8 Isaiah Johnson.

Click the link below for more information on Isaiah.


#8 Isaiah Johnson

Football Tickets

Football Tickets Being Mailed!

If you purchased 2011 Catamount Football Season Tickets, they are being mailed this week!

Go Catamounts!

Ask the AD

August 22, 2011  (Courtesy CatamountSports.com)

"It has been a while since I have posted an “Ask the AD” letter. The hiatus was not due to vacation, but to several changes in the athletic department and most noticeably in the university administration.

As everyone now knows, Dr. David Belcher has taken over as Chancellor of the University. His enthusiasm, energy, perception, and deep desire to make Western Carolina a better University has already affected the atmosphere on campus. He and his wife Susan have been tireless in promoting the university and athletic department by reaching out to many constituencies. Their presence at several Catamount Club events this the summer has been tremendous and Dr. Belcher has been vocal in his belief in a strong Athletic Department.

The changes within Athletics have been substantial as well. In June, Brian Frerking, Associate Athletic Director for Development, took a position outside WCU. I took the opportunity of transition, with Dr. Belcher’s assistance, to make changes that will strengthen our fundraising, marketing and media relations operations. Gorham Bradley has been promoted to oversee athletic fund-raising and the Catamount Club, and he is in the process of filling his previous position. Lindsey Lessing has been hired as the Assistant Director of Marketing and Promotions. WCU alumnus Larry Arbaugh has joined us in the role of Associate Athletic Director for Business Development and Media Relations. In addition to these changes we are adding a position to Media Relations to strengthen our ability to promote the successes of our student-athletes. These are all very positive changes that will make us much more successful and stronger.

Now to the questions:

M.S. asks, “ Will we play UNCC in football anytime soon?”

Yes, we are scheduled for a two-game series with Charlotte to begin in Cullowhee in 2014 and back to UNCC in 2015.

B. D. asks, “Will WCU play UNCC in basketball now that we have scheduled them in football?”

As of this season we have not scheduled Charlotte in a basketball series. Coach Hunter develops the men’s basketball schedule and I’m not aware if there have been conversations with the 49ers.

M.N. asks, “ Since students have been charged to tailgate outside the stadium, why is a lot never full? Was it done just to make money?”

No, the change was made provide an organized area for students to tailgate. Unlike in the past, groups now have six spots in each tailgate area, with only two cars to each area. The fee is used to pay for additional costs associated with tailgating.

And finally B.B. asks, “ Why did we change the tailgating policy of baseball and how can we show that we support the team?”

The parking lot behind the outfield was not a designated University tailgating area. In addition, the necessity to erect a “batter’s eye” fence in centerfield impacted the viewing from that area. In regard to the baseball complex, Coach Moranda, the baseball team, supporters and the University made major renovations in the stadium that have made it one of the finest in the conference.

That’s all for today… promise to get back to you more often…. Go Cats!"

- Courtesy: CatamountSports.com

9 days - #9 Petey Boone

Cullowhee, NC - It's now 9 days until the kickoff of Catamount football at Georgia Tech.

On the Catamount Sports Forum we'll highlight running backs, and spotlight freshman  #9 Petey Boone.

Click the link below for more information on Petey.


 #9 Petey Boone

10 days - #10 Chris Everett

Cullowhee, NC - It's now 10 days until the kickoff of Catamount football at Georgia Tech.

On the Catamount Sports Forum we'll highlight defensive backs, and spotlight RS senior #10 Chris Everett.

Click the link below for more information on Chris.



#10 Chris Everett

Soccer: Cats over Murray State, 2-1

Bowling Green, Ky - The Cats bounced back today from Friday's night's overtime loss to Western Kentucky with a victory over the Murray State Racers, by a final score of 2-1.  Sophomore Kayla Sedgley scored with 20 seconds left in regulation to break open a 1-1 tie game, and gave the Cats their first win of the regular season.

The Catamounts return to Cullowhee with a 1-1 over-all record from the Western Kentucky University Soccer Tournament. The Cats host North Florida next Thursday for their season home opener.

Belcher's recent quotes on the WCU football program

“I’m not happy with the history of the program. It has really struggled,” Belcher said  “I want to see it improve. ... I’m going to be watching the program very carefully.”

“Successful athletic programs make it easier to attract students, to ground students and keep in contact with the alums,” Belcher said. “It’s an important thing, and that’s the sort of (football) program I want to see here. A winning football program is a source of pride. Athletics is a front door for the university, and a losing program that struggles is not going to bring as many fans to that front door.”

“I’m going to spend a lot of time this season looking at the record. Look at what happens, looking at what kind of improvement are we going to be showing,” he said. “I’m going look at Ws and Ls, but if and when there are Ls, is it a competitive loss or is it a blowout?”

“I’m going to be a very visible, vocal supporter,” Belcher said. “I’m telling (everyone) that I’m looking for a stronger team". “I understand coach Wagner has a stronger team this year, that they have some size on them and there’s improvement. But the results? We’ll see in the next few weeks.”

11 days - #11 Jawan Simmons

Cullowhee, NC - It's now 11 days until the kickoff of Catamount football at Georgia Tech.

On the Catamount Sports Forum we'll highlight quarterbacks, and spotlight freshman #11 Jawan Simmons.

Click the link below for more information on Jawan.

#11 Jawan Simmons

12 days - #12 Lance Price



Cullowhee, NC - It's now 12 days until the kickoff of Catamount football at Georgia Tech.

On the Catamount Sports Forum we'll highlight quarterbacks, and spotlight RS fresman  #12 Lance Price.

Click the link below for more information on Lance.


#12 Lance Price

2011 football - Coastal Carolina

Game #11. The Chanticleers of Coastal Carolina

A preseason preview of the Catamount's eleventh opponent of the 2011 football season, the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers.

On November 19th, the Catamounts close out the 2011 season in Cullowhee with the first ever game between the Catamounts and Chanticleers.  Coastal's 2010 record was 6-6 (5-1 conference), winning a share of the Big South Conference title by virtue of a 3 way tie between Coastal, Liberty, and Stony Brook (all finishing 5-1 in conference play), but the tie breaker went to the Chanticleers based on fewest points allowed in conference play.  The Chanticleers lost at home in the first round of the playoffs to Western Illinois by a score of 17-10.

Head Coach Dave Bennett, the 2010 Big South Coach of the Year, enters his tenth season at the head of the Coastal Carolina program, and must replace 16 players lost to graduation.  For the 2011 season, Coastal was picked to hold donw third place behind preseason Big South Conference favorites Liberty and Stony Brook. Coastal returns four players picked as preseason All Big South team members, junior linebacker Andrae Jacobs, senior tightend  David Duran, sophomore offensive lineman Jamey Cheatwook, & senior cornerback Josh Norman.

For Coastal to sustain strong play like they exhibited down the stretch last season, they must quickly settle on a quarterback to replace three-year starter Zach MacDowall. Bennett has  indicated that South Carolina junior transfer Aramis Hillary is "probably the leading candidate for that position" over fifth-year senior Jamie Childers.  Childers will probably be on the field as a tight end this season, while backing up Hillary.  

Prediction:  WCU - 21   CCU - 13

WCU Record: 7 - 4

Soccer - Cats play in WKU Tournament

Bowling Green, Ky - The Cats kick off the 2011-12 athletic season in Bowling Green, Ky playing in the Western Kentucky Soccer Tournament. The Cats take on the home standing Hilltoppers at 8:30 pm (EDT) today.


Get live stats here.

13 days - #13 Brandon Pechloff

Cullowhee, NC - It's now 13 days until the kickoff of Catamount football at Georgia Tech.

On the Catamount Sports Forum we'll highlight quarterbacks, and spotlight sophomore  #13 Brandon Pechloff.

Click the link below for more information on Brandon.


#13 Brandon Pechloff

New Russell Athletic Football Uniforms

Cullowhee, NC - The Catamounts today unveiled their new uniforms for the 2011 football season, provided by Russell Athletic. The Cats showcased an all-purple uniform, a white-on-purple pairing, a white-on-gold look, and the traditional purple-on-gold variation of the uniforms. Senior DL Trey Selby, redshirt sophomore OL Wesley Cook, sophomore QB Brandon Pechloff and redshirt freshman DB Ace Clark - were selected to take part in Wednesday's uniform photo shoot with WCU public relations photographer, Mark Haskett.

Please click on this link for a video preview of the new Russell uniforms.

14 days - #14 Josh Cockrell

Cullowhee, NC - It's now 14 days until the kickoff of Catamount football at Georgia Tech.

On the Catamount Sports Forum we'll highlight quarterbacks, and spotlight senior  #14 Josh Cockrell

Click the link below for more information on Josh.


 #14 Josh Cockrell

15 days - #15 Zac Brindise

It's now 15 days until the kickoff of Catamount football at Georgia Tech.

On the Catamount Sports Forum we'll highlight quarterbacks, and spotlight senior #15 Zac Brindise.

Click the link below for more information on Zac.



#15 Zac Brindise

Soccer - Coaches' Poll

Spartanburg - The Southern Conference womens soccer head coaches have chosen Western Carolina to finish in eight place of the 12 team league this season.  The Catamounts received 46 points in voting, as compared to  #1 UNC-G's 112 points, the Spartans were a perfect 11-0 in league play a year ago. Finishing below Western in the voting was ASU, Wofford, GSU, and UTC.  Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own team or players in the balloting.


Soccer Coaches Poll

16 days - #16 Mike Anderson

It's now 16 days until the kickoff of Catamount football at Georgia Tech.

On the Catamount Sports Forum we'll highlight defensive backs, and spotlight RS sophomore #16 Mike Anderson.

Click the link below for more information on Mike.


#16 Mike Anderson

SoCon Announces Agreement With ESPN3

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The SoCon announced the signing of a four-year contract with ESPN3.com to deliver regular season league games and conference championships. The eight regular season football games that the league will produce for public television will also be made available through ESPN3.  This addition of games on ESPN3.com extends ESPN's current four-year deal with the Southern Conference, which continues through the 2014-2015 season.

"This agreement marks a significant step for the Southern Conference," said Commissioner John Iamarino. "We have never had as many events available to as wide an audience. With the access and availability of digital content on computers, gaming consoles, tablets and smart phones, more SoCon fans than ever before will be able to watch live events from our 19 championship sports."

SoCon Announces Agreement With ESPN3

Soccer: Cats win exhibition match

Cullowhee - Women's soccer won their lone exhibition match of the season over Gardner-Webb by a 2-0 score Sunday night at the Catamount Athletic Complex.   The Cats jumped out to an early lead over the visiting Runnin' Bulldogs, as Samantha Hodge received a pass from Christine Cockrell and put a shot past the GWU goalkeeper for a 1-0 lead the Cats never relinquished.  Head Coach Chad Miller's Cats open the regular season at Western Kentucky in a tournament hosted by the Hilltoppers. Match time is set for 8 p.m. on August 19.

Dennis Wagner Show Returns

The Dennis Wagner Show returns to wnctelevision.com this fall

17 days - #17 Gary Green

It's now 17 days until the kickoff of Catamount football at Georgia Tech.

On the Catamount Sports Forum we'll highlight wide receivers, and spotlight RS junior #17 Gary Green

Click the link below for more information on Gary.


#17 Gary Green

Today's Quote

"Today was a great day - it was great to see people in the Purple Zone. I'm really feeling good about where we are at practice-wise," said WCU head coach Dennis Wagner following Saturday's scrimmage. "We've got a few bumps and bruises, but the kids are working hard. Our defense is trying to get used to the tempo and pace at which we are playing on the offensive side of the ball. I'm confident those guys will get there. (Our offensive speed) will only help them prepare for games as the pace is so fast. We are going to focus on getting the defense ready because defense wins championships."

Football - Single Game Tickets

Western Carolina Football single-game tickets go on sale, Monday August 15, 2011.

18 days - #18 Karnorris Benson

It's now 18 days until the kickoff of Catamount football at Georgia Tech.

On the Catamount Sports Forum we'll highlight defensive backs, and spotlight freshman #18 Karnorris Benson

Click the link below for more information on Karnorris.


#18 Karnorris Benson